Short answer: the JBL Partybox On the Go. It ranks #66 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $249.95; the EcoXGear Defender ranks #84, rated 2.5/5, and costs $299.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The JBL Partybox On the Go is the better-sounding pick. A battery party speaker with an included wireless microphone and a detachable shoulder strap. The catch: Battery life is short, and its sound trails the rest of the Partybox line.
The EcoXGear Defender is the longer-running, lighter option. A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 6 for the JBL Partybox On the Go. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Partybox On the Go at 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the JBL Partybox On the Go. The catch: Its single front-facing driver layout has narrow dispersion: clarity and detail drop noticeably when you move off-axis, and the soundstage is limited.
Buy the JBL Partybox On the Go. It is rated higher for sound quality than the EcoXGear Defender and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A battery party speaker with an included wireless microphone and a detachable shoulder strap.
A rugged, floating waterproof speaker that gets very loud for its size, with a flashlight, bottle opener and power bank.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox On the Go | EcoXGear Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #66 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.1A) |
| Stereo | Partially | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | No |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 100W |
| Dimensions | 19.3” x 8.8” x 9.6” (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) | 6.7” x 15.4” x 9.6” (170.2 x 391.2 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1” woofer + tweeters | 52mm full-range driver |
| Maximum SPL | 94dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
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